I’ve heard this rhetorical question, often in a condescending style: what’s up with Marvel Cinematic Universe, I don’t get it — why you still like popcorn movies?
In many ways, the comment wasn’t completely wrong: Marvel movies are largely superhero movies based on comics, which you know, are kids friendly.
To me, the most intriguing aspect of MCU is the deep connections the writers and directors have put in across all movies through the franchise. What’s remembered after the movie is usually not how a hero defeated the villains (except Thanos). The beauty of the MCU is not just the special effect and heroic actions (of course that’d be less interesting without the effect innovations). The beauty resides in the relationship between characters, how the relationship matures over time, and how each character solves their own struggles.
It’s really impressive that the movie producers were able to have all these actors on board and keep on building new crossovers over 10+ years. Think about it — Fast Furious (now the 9th moving is coming) is doing exactly the same thing, right? Now in the 9th movie, Han Lue (the dude who died Tokyo Drift) is coming back — audiences are all guessing: how is he still alive? what’s the story? how about his cinematic relationship with all these characters?
Why are we intrigued by anything anyway? I think it’s the instant understanding like, “oh I know what’s going on and why they do it this way!”, which reassures your knowledge and speculations are all perfectly accurate: TLDR, “yeah, I know shit!”. That feeling of satisfaction and pride is addictive.
Sounds pretty trivial, right? Being addicted to “I want to know more” is likely how anyone gets interested in anything. If you are into painting, it usually results in you being extremely clear about the history of certain styles or bio of certain artists.
I don’t think Marvel movies will teach anything practical— they are still aiming to entertain the audience, not educate the audience. Looking from this angle, I think MCU movies did an excellent job keeping the audience interested and kept innovating new ideas (like TV series in 2021).
I used to but I’m no longer offended by someone who condescendingly judges me being shallow because I watch superhero movies — I just happen to have the capacity to enjoy a few more character relationships than others who unfortunately didn’t build an appetite.
